Saturday, November 21, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Kc3 Final
~The War Against Alien Invaders~
KC3 Final Draft -----> By: Maddie Nguyen
Hawaii was first introduced to the world in 1778 by Captain Cook. Ever since then, foreigners from around the world have been invading the tropical island, slowly taking over. These foreigners, however, were not the only ones to come and deplete the natural beauty of the Hawaiian Islands. Foreigners have brought 4,000 to 20,000 various plants because of their beauty or sustenance. What they did not know was that these plants would not only become an infestation, but cause damage to Hawaii’s environment and native species as well. As of today, the species of invasive plants are numerous and are dominating Hawaii’s land ecosystem. Because invasive plants are impacting Hawaii’s land ecosystem, our community has developed programs and even taken time to personally help prevent invasive species from demolishing Hawaii’s environment.
One of the most lethal land alien plants in Hawaii is the exotic South Asian ginger. This plant originated from Southern Asia and was brought in by immigrants who came to Hawaii in the 1900's to work on sugar plantations. These immigrants brought the South Asian ginger because of its beauty, not knowing that the plant would diminish Hawaii’s forests. Nowadays, many people do not realize that it is fatal to the native plants and Hawaii’s forests because of its deceivingly beautiful appearance. Kaliji pheasants are birds who consume the plant’s crimson berries and unintentionally disperse the seeds around the island, rapidly increasing the inhabitants of Asian ginger. This exotic plant causes destruction by displacing native plants that live in the Hawaiian forests. Hapuu tree ferns, Laua’e ferns, Limukele, and Limukaulaua are examples of native ferns and mosses that shelter the forests from rain. This prevents flooding from occurring in riverbanks, streams, and thus losing its purpose of a watershed. A watershed is basically an area that shelters lakes, rivers, ponds, and etcetera from rain so that it does not overflow. The function of a watershed is important to Hawaii’s forests because without it, the rain would obliterate all of Hawaii’s water sources. Another alien species that is radiant yet invasive to the Hawaiian Islands is the banana poka. The banana poka is originally from South America and was brought over to Hawaii before 1921 by settlers. “Native to the Andes, the vine was probably brought to Hawai'i as an ornamental because of its ostentatious, pink flowers. Banana poka was apparently planted at most of the sites that currently have heavy infestations” [2]. Another reason why settlers brought the banana poka to Hawaii is because of the banana fruit that it produces. This plant may look harmless, but it is very robust and can take on an eight foot tree. The banana poka strangles and suffocates native trees such as the Hawai'i Creeper, Hawai'i Akepa and the 'Akiapola'au. The vines of the invasive plant suppress oxygen and sunlight from the native trees. As the invasive plant gradually kills off the native tree, it allows excess amount of sunlight to damage the second and third layer of the rainforest. Due to the banana poka plant, Hawaii’s forest is debilitating and native plants for instance, the Hawai'i Creeper, Hawai'i Akepa and the 'Akiapola'au are coming closer to extinction.
In Maui, a local resident referred to as Pat Bily has contributed to the battle against Hawaii’s invasive South Asian ginger, banana poka, and other various invasive plants. The devoted plant specialist is passionate about the situation and volunteers his time to defend Hawaii from harmful invasive plants. In fact, Bily’s zeal for Hawaii’s environment motivated him to establish the Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC). “Everyone has a tremendous respect for Pat’s dedication, commitment, and hard work. He is a true hero.” says Mark White, Director of Maui Programs for the Conservancy. Bily pursues his duty of battling invasive plants by going on voluntary monthly trips to Conservancy’s Maui preserves refurbishing fences, removing detrimental weeds, and planting seeds of awareness in the community. Canoe members, hunters, local students and the community in general were motivated into volunteering because of Pat Bily’s effort to care for Hawaii’s environment. The MISC has also inspired other committees to form on other islands, showing that anyone can make a difference.
Oahu was an island inspired by the MISC to start the Oahu Invasive Species Committee (OISC) on May 22, 2000. A wide spread invasion of multiple plant species has become a danger to the environment. Nearly hundreds of plants have slowly taken over our island. The situation got so severe that an intern from the University of Rhode Island flew to Hawaii. Hearing about the non-native plants that are annihilating Hawaii’s land ecosystem, he was determined to unite with the OISC and assist by removing invasive plants. “But rather than managing widespread populations of established invasive plants, the OISC is using scientific assessments and field surveys to predict which incipient weed might become invasive in the future,” states Joshua Atwood, intern for the OISC. This process allows the OISC to perform more efficiently and informs the committee whether to terminate the alien plant or to continue searching elsewhere. Throughout the years, the OISC has helped decrease the amount of invasive species around Oahu.
Hawaii Department of Agriculture’s (HDOA) Plant Pest Control is state agency that helps Hawaii’s environment from invasive plants. Ninety-Five percent of major pests currently in Hawaii have been detected by the HDOA Plant Pest Control Branch. This branch distinguishes invasive species using a “developed weed harmful assessment”[1]. The agency then identifies on recently arrived non-native species and determines their invasive potential. The HDOA Plant Pest Control Branch is composed of two sections which is the Biological and the Chemical/Mechanical (C/M) Control Section. The Biological Control Section consists of groups operating together distinguishing new immigrant pests, investigating native habitats to observe the natural enemies of the invasive pest, and so on. The C/M Control Section on the other hand combats invasive plants by using chemical/mechanical methods such as trapping to control or eliminate the invasive plants. C/M Section staff also provides technical advice to land owners or managers to lessen the impact of noxious weeds. The Plant Pest Control C/M Section includes observing habitats for the attendance of harmful weeds. Another subdivision in the HDOA that stops invasive plants is the Plant Quarantine Branch. The Plant Quarantine Branch is in charge of an ongoing project known as “First Class Mail”. The HDOA Plant Quarantine Branch has the authority to examine first-class and priority mail since they have discovered that mail packages have been the number one transportation for alien plants to Hawaii. “The HDOA Plant Quarantine Branch has been known as a major breakthrough and has fortified the HDOA inspection programs to prevent the introduction of harmful plants from entering into the State” states Sandra Kunimoto, Chairperson for the Hawaii Department of Agriculture.
Overall Hawaii’s land ecosystem is slowly being dominated by the invasive plants. The Asian ginger weed and banana poka are just two examples of the many invasive plant species that are harming Hawaii’s environment. In turn, community group efforts and programs like the Maui Invasive Species Committee, Oahu Invasive Species Committee, HDOA Plant Pest Control, and HDOA Plant Quarantine Branch have been developed to help combat the invasive plant species. With society's help, Hawaii might still have a chance in the war against harmful plant invaders. If society does not contribute to this war, then our native species will become extinct and our environment will be destroyed.
Foot Notes:
[1] Atwood,Joshua. Saving Hawaii From Alien Plants. 30 March 2009. National Science Foundation. 12 Nov. 2009 <http://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=114152&org=DGE>
[2] No publisher. Alien Plants. No revision date. University of Hawaii. 13 Nov. 2009 http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/duffy/book/1990_chap/13.pdf
---------------------------------------------
Biobliography:
Internet Sources:
Naomi Sodetani. A Weed Warrior Battles to Save Native Forests. No given Revision Date. The Nature Conservancy. 10 Nov. 2009 >
Atwood,Joshua. Saving Hawaii From Alien Plants. 30 March 2009. National Science Foundation. 12 Nov. 2009 <http://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=114152&org=DGE>
Simberloff,Daneil. Introduced Speies: The Threat to Biodiersity & What Can Be Done. December 2000. American Institute of Biological Science. 7 November 2009 <http://www.actionbioscience.org/biodiversity/simberloff.html>
No publisher. Alien Plants. No revision date. University of Hawaii. 13 Nov. 2009 http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/duffy/book/1990_chap/13.pdf
Kunimoto,Sandra. Plant Pest Control. No Revision Date Given. Department of Agriculture. 13 November 2009<http://hawaii.gov/hdoa/pi/ppc>
Kunimoto,Sandra. Plant Quarantine. No Revision Date Given. Department of Agriculture. 13 November 2009<http://hawaii.gov/hdoa/pi/pq/pq>
No Publisher. Passiflora Tarminiana. 12 November 2009. Wikimedia Foundation. 13 Nov. 2009
<>
Interviews:
Harris,Jason. Interview Personal. Honolulu Zoo. November 4,2009
Chan,Norton.Interview Personal.Waikiki Aquarium.November 4,2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
Rough Draft Kc3
~The War Against Alien Invaders~
KC3 Rough Draft -----> By: Maddie Nguyen
Hawaii was first introduced to the world in 1778 by Captain Cook. Ever since then, foreigners have been invading the tropical island, slowly taking over. Foreigners, however, were not the only ones to come and deplete the natural beauty of the Hawaiian Islands. Foreigners have brought 4,000 to 20,000 various plants because of their beauty or sustenance. What they did not know is how the plants would not only become an infestation, but they will cause damage as well. As of today, the species of invasive plants are numerous and are dominating Hawaii’s land ecosystem. Because invasive plants are impacting Hawaii’s land ecosystem, our community has developed programs and even taken time to personally help prevent invasive species from demolishing Hawaii’s environment.
One of the most lethal land alien plants in Hawaii is the exotic South Asian ginger. This plant originated from Southern Asia and was brought in by Asians who came to Hawaii in the 1900's to work. Nowadays, many people do not realize that it is fatal because of its exquisite appearance. Birds consume the plant’s crimson berries and unintentionally disperse the seeds around the island proliferating the inhabitants of Asian ginger. This exotic plant causes destruction by displacing native plants that live in the Hawaiian forests. For instance, Hapuu tree ferns, Laua’e ferns, Limukele, and Limukaulaua are examples of native ferns and mosses that serve as a blanket preventing rain from filtering into the forest. If the South Asian ginger relocates these native plants then the forest would be vulnerable to rain and the forest would lose its purpose as a watershed. Another alien species that is radiant yet invasive to the Hawaiian Islands is the banana poka. The banana poka is originally from South America and was brought over to Hawaii in the 1900’s by settlers who used the plant’s fruit as food. The appearance of the banana poka is a vine with ostentatious flowers and banana fruits. This plant may look harmless, but it is very robust and can take on an eight foot tree. The banana poka asphyxiates native trees such as the Hawai'i Creeper, Hawai'i Akepa and the 'Akiapola'au. The vines of the invasive plant suppress oxygen and sunlight from the native trees. As the invasive plant gradually kills off the native tree, it allows excess amount of sunlight to damage the second and third layer of the rainforest. Due to the banana poka plant, Hawaii’s forest is debilitating and native plants for instance, the Hawai'i Creeper, Hawai'i Akepa and the 'Akiapola'au are coming closer to extinction.
In Maui, a local resident referred to as Pat Bily has contributed to the battle against Hawaii’s invasive South Asian ginger, banana poka, and other various invasive plants. The devoted plant specialist is passionate about the situation and volunteers his time to defend Hawaii from harmful invasive plants. In fact, Bily’s zeal for Hawaii’s environment motivated him to establish the Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC). “Everyone has a tremendous respect for Pat’s dedication, commitment, and hard work. He is a true hero.” says Mark White, Director of Maui Programs for the Conservancy. Bily pursues his duty of battling invasive plants by going on voluntary monthly trips to Conservancy’s Maui preserves and removing detrimental weeds, refurbish fences, and plant seeds of awareness in the community. Local students, canoe members, hunters, and the community in general were motivated into volunteering because of Pat Bily’s effort to care for Hawaii’s environment. The MISC has also inspired other committees to form on other islands, showing that anyone can make a difference.
Oahu was an island inspired by the MISC to start the Oahu Invasive Species Committee (OISC). A wide spread invasion of multiple plant species has become a danger to the environment. Nearly hundreds of plants have slowly taken over our island. The situation got so severe that an intern from the University of Rhode Island flew to Hawaii. Hearing about the non-native plants that are annihilating Hawaii’s land ecosystem he was determined to unite with the OISC and assist by removing invasive plants. “But rather than managing widespread populations of established invasive plants, the OISC is using scientific assessments and field surveys to predict which incipient weed might become invasive in the future,” states Joshua Atwood, intern for the OISC.
Hawaii Department of Agriculture’s (HDOA) Plant Pest Control is state agency that helps Hawaii’s environment from invasive plants. Ninety-Five percent of major pests currently in Hawaii have been detected by the HDOA Plant Pest Control Branch. This branch distinguishes invasive species using a “developed weed harmful assessment”[1]. The agency then identifies on recently arrived non-native species and determines their invasive potential. The HDOA Plant Pest Control Branch is composed of two sections which is the Biological and the Chemical/Mechanical (C/M) Control Section. The Biological Control Section consists of groups operating together perceiving new immigrant pests, investigating native habitats to observe the natural enemies of the invasive pest, and so on. The C/M Control Section on the other hand combats invasive plants by using chemical/mechanical methods such as trapping to control or eliminate the invasive plants. C/M Section staff also provides technical advice to land owners or managers to lessen the impact of noxious weeds. The Plant Pest Control C/M Section includes observing habitats for the attendance of harmful weeds. Another subdivision in the HDOA that stops invasive plants is the Plant Quarantine Branch. The Plant Quarantine Branch is in charge of an ongoing project known as “First Class Mail”. Since first class mails have been a major path for the invasive plants or plant products to be transported to Hawaii, the HDOA Plant Quarantine Branch has the capability to scrutinize first-class and priority mail packages. The HDOA Plant Quarantine Branch has been known as a major breakthrough and has fortified the HDOA inspection programs to prevent the introduction of harmful plants from entering into the State.
Overall Hawaii’s land ecosystem is slowly being dominated by the invasive plants. The Asian ginger weed and banana poka are just two examples of the many invasive plant species that are harming Hawaii’s environment. In turn, community group efforts and programs like the Maui Invasive Species Committee, Oahu Invasive Species Committee, HDOA Plant Pest Control, and HDOA Plant Quarantine Branch have been developed to help combat the invasive plant species. With society's help, Hawaii might still have a chance in the war against harmful plant invaders.
Foot Notes:
[1] Atwood,Joshua. Saving Hawaii From Alien Plants. 30 March 2009. National Science Foundation. 12 Nov. 2009 <http://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=114152&org=DGE>
---------------------------------------------
Biobliography:
Internet Sources:
Naomi Sodetani. A Weed Warrior Battles to Save Native Forests. No given Revision Date. The Nature Conservancy. 10 Nov. 2009 <http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/hawaii/projectprofiles/art20660.html>
Atwood,Joshua. Saving Hawaii From Alien Plants. 30 March 2009. National Science Foundation. 12 Nov. 2009 <http://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=114152&org=DGE>
Simberloff,Daneil. Introduced Speies: The Threat to Biodiersity & What Can Be Done. December 2000. American Institute of Biological Science. 7 November 2009 <http://www.actionbioscience.org/biodiversity/simberloff.html>
Kunimoto,Sandra. Plant Pest Control. No Revision Date Given. Department of Agriculture. 13 November 2009<http://hawaii.gov/hdoa/pi/ppc>
Kunimoto,Sandra. Plant Quarantine. No Revision Date Given. Department of Agriculture. 13 November 2009<http://hawaii.gov/hdoa/pi/pq/pq>
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Kc3:Rough Draft Impromptu Plans
(Introduction)
(Cause)- The invasive plant and what are they doing to harm the environment?
(Effect)- Programs
(Effect)- People
(Conclusion)
(Cause)- The invasive plant and what are they doing to harm the environment?
(Effect)- Programs
(Effect)- People
(Conclusion)
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Journal #14- Thesis Statement
Subtopic: Programs/People to protect hawaii from invasive land plants
Statement: Because invasive plants are impacting Hawaii's land ecosystem, our community has developed programs and even taken time out personally, to help prevent invasive land plants from destroying Hawaii's environment.
Kc3 Project Plans
1. Shaneika Aguilar, Madelynne Nguyen, Jorjiane Guasch, Rebekah Morales, Korie Lum, and Kevin Caguillo
2. Invasive alien species and biodiversity
3. Starting off small (subtopics):
Shaneika Aguilar - Invasive alien land species and its effects
Korie Lum - invasive alien freshwater/saltwater species and its effects
Rebekah Morales - Research on our local biodiversity and why it must be preserved
Madelynne Nguyen - Programs to protect our local species and its effectiveness
Jordie Guasch - Invasive alien plants and their effects on the environment
Kevin Caguillo - invasive alien insects/pests and its effects
Other Plans:
(Those who are in charge, but the whole group is still involved)
Shaneika Aguilar: Visiting and documenting a place on Oahu.
Madelynne Nguyen: Conduct a survey on Survey Monkey that will provide data from other students in different states/countries about the environmental issues you are researching.
Korie Lum: Find and interview an "authority" on your topic. The interview and appropriate B-roll or still pictures will be part of our documentary video.
*Everyone must remember to write down the bibliography and credit the places and sites of where they received their information for this project.
Additional Information (Group Portion)
Shaneika and Korie: Video - Storyboard and edit and present the video documentary of your topic.
Maddie: Interactive Portion - Plan and present an activity that will get your audience to think and interact with us - something challenging and engaging. Create, post, and analyze team survey on Survey Monkey.
Shaneika and Kevin: Create the powerpoint that will highlight the main points of your research and present it in the videoconference
Jordie and Rebekah: Pre-conference website and activity -(Jordie) Create the website and the (Rebekah) pre-conference online activity that will introduce your topic and will help to "hook" and focus your audience.
Jordie: Scripting - Write the script for the presentation. Serve as "host" the videoconference.
Important Notice:
Each team member is required to print 3 articles that are related to our topic.
As a group, come up with one thesis statement.
Each team member will compose a well-written essay based on our topic.
*Everyone must remember to write down the bibliography and credit the places and sites of where they received their information for this project.
